Tools & Aids
Games
General Brain Games:
Lumosity.com offers brain training exercises that work. Regardless of your age, Lumosity can make you smarter and more mentally fit.
Online and PC/Mac Games! Play arcade games, strategy games, word games, card games, and more!
Word Games:
Play Over 100 Free Online Games! Puzzle games, board games, card games, word games, casino games, arcade games, cash games, Club Pogo games, and more!
Jigsaw Puzzles & Slide Puzzles:
An online Jigsaw Puzzle where you choose the level of difficulty from a simple 6-piece cut to a challenging 247-piece cut!
The 7 Best Free Online Jigsaw Puzzles
These digital jigsaw puzzle video games feature some of the best puzzle features such as having a huge library of images to choose from, multiple difficulty levels, and even online leaderboards and daily challenges due to modern online internet connectivity.
Fun, Yet Stimulating Quizzes:
A website and mobile application that provides fun and addictive quizzes. Games range from trivial diversions to educational study guides.
Typing Games:
The premier site to play free typing games, lessons and tests!
Logic Testers:
Here you can find the best riddles for kids and adults, easy and tricky riddles, what-am-I and funny riddles, and so many more good riddles and answers to stretch your mind and make you smile. Training our minds to think logically and rationally can help us not only in school and the workplace, but also in daily life.
Exercise your problem-solving muscles with these logic riddles!
These tricky riddles with answers will bend your brain!
Entertain your mind with their collection of challenging logic puzzles and word games for enthusiasts of all ages. Put on your thinking cap and get puzzling!
Rush Hour Traffic Jam Puzzle:
Your goal is to drive your red car out of the playing grid and escape to freedom!
Visual & Memory Exercises:
Improve your Visual Information Process Skills: Perception, Tracking, Focusing, and Eye Teaming!
Memory games:
Brain Workshop is a free open-source version of the dual n-back brain training exercise that can improve memory and intelligence.
Memory Improvement Brain Games
Training your brain with free online brain games is a fun way to improve your memory, concentration, and other brain skills. There are now over 200 free brain training games on this site.
Try to keep up with the color pattern sequence for as many levels as you can!
Hardware & Software
A New App for a Popular Device
The iPad is redefining mobile computing, but at Shepherd Center it’s also helping people communicate after stroke or brain injury. Since its debut in early 2010, Apple’s iPad has quickly become a household name. In fact, this sleek machine is on pace to become the most popular mobile device in history. Only half an inch thick, it’s lightweight and has a definite “cool” factor.
Read the full story in Shepherd’s Spinal Column Fall 2011 issue (PDF).
Art-science project to rehabilitate brain injuries
LONDON: The first virtual reality artwork for helping brain injury patients to better control their hand and arm movements has been successfully tested by Australian scientists. ELEMENTS is a 42-inch tabletop TV on which patients can paint, play games and mix sounds by gesturing with brightly coloured, soft plastic shapes. It complements existing rehabilitation therapy for people recovering from brain injury by providing a fun way to practice skills and continuous feedback on their progress.
27 Life-Changing iPhone and iPad Apps for People with Brain Injury
Revolutionary apps for simplifying everyday life with brain injury.
It’s Done!
This remarkable app for iPhone/iPad/Android is helping TBI survivors quickly recall completion of everyday tasks, eliminating doubts such as: “Did I lock the door?” “Turn off the stove?” “Take my medication?”
It’s Done! generates confirmation text or email to loved ones/caregivers when task is done.
It’s Done! is praised by affiliates of the Brain Injury Association of America and TBI organizations in Australia, Canada, and the U.K.
Said one TBI survivor, “It’s Done! is more than just a helpful tool, it helps strengthen your memory while making sure everything gets done.”
The It’s Done! app is available at the iTunes AppStore and the Google Play Store.
Visit their website or their Facebook page.
Memory Boards
This is similar to a Memory Book, but this has more of Jennie’s favorite things. I think it provides a great conversation piece for therapists and friends. And it’s good for the patient to see to remember some of his/her favorite things (restaurants, foods, drinks, color, finger nail polish, hair accessories, etc.). I got all of this information from Jennie’s Facebook page, her friends, and her family. Once I had the information it was easy to get clip art from restaurants, soda companies, etc. — RoseAnn Olson
Memory Books
View a sample Memory Book (PDF) created by RoseAnn Olson.
More Tools & Aids
Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act Program (Tools for Life)
(800) 497-8665
Email: info@gatfl.org
This is a program funded by a grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration (part of the Department of Education). Helps Georgians of all ages and disabilities have access to assistive technology services in order to live, learn, work, and play independently in communities of their choice. Tools for Life provides:
- Lending libraries — Provides hands-on experience with equipment
- Assistive technology demonstrations & trainings — Allows you to see how equipment works and to receive in depth training so you can make the right equipment choice
- Helps you find a way to purchase equipment
- Assists in locating funding sources for Assistive Technology devices and services
- Has an Online Equipment Exchange Program
- Credit-Able provides low-interest loans
Games, Flash Cards, and Workbooks
The peg game is available at Cracker Barrel Restaurants. All others are available on Amazon.com. Other great sources: School Box, Target, Walmart, drug stores, and grocery stores.
Nintendo DS
The DS System offers several games that are designed to exercise your brain. Nintendo DS and games are available at Target, Walmart, Best Buy, or click on an image to go directly to Amazon.com.
Nintendo Wii
The Wii is available at Target, Walmart, and Amazon.com.
Physical Benefits: Blends exercise and physical activity with video games.
Neurological Benefits: Provides some neurological rehabilitation benefits for TBI patients.
Other Therapeutic Benefits: The Wii does not target weakness caused by the injury, but rather, provides motivation to the patient to continue therapy sessions.
Lumosity
A comprehensive brain training program that enhances brain health and performance using clinically validated tools designed by neuroscientists. Their users have reported profound benefits that include:
- Clearer and quicker thinking
- Faster problem-solving skills
- Increased alertness and awareness
- Better concentration at work or while driving
- Sharper memory for names, numbers, and directions
Tongue Twisters for all Ages!
A tongue twister is defined as a phrase or sentence that is hard to speak fast, usually because of alliteration or a sequence of nearly similar sounds. To play a game of tongue twisters, you must repeat the shorter tongue twisters three or four times rapidly from memory without stumbling.
American Folklore Tongue Twisters – Free, downloadable, funny tongue twisters that make working on your speech fun!